Madden NFL 21 Patch Notes: New Update Makes Many Gameplay Changes

A new Madden NFL 21 update is live across PS4, Xbox One, and PC alongside official patch notes revealing everything the update does and doesn’t do. In terms of updates, this one is on the smaller side, but it does come with a variety of gameplay updates, changes, and fixes. Meanwhile, there are also patch notes relevant to Ultimate Team, Franchise, The Yard, and the general presentation of the game.

At the moment of publishing, it’s unclear if the update will require a download on the console side. And if it does, it’s unclear how meaty this download will be. That said, if EA provides clarification on this aspect of the update, we will be sure to update our story with what is provided.

Below, you can check out the full and official patch notes, courtesy of EA:

Gameplay Updates:

• Resolved an issue with player-indicator flashing for Pass Lead abilities; Set Feet Lead and Pass Lead Elite was not giving consistent feedback when activating. Now the Star or X underneath the player will light-up appropriately when using these abilities.
• Addressed an issue with receivers dropping the ball from late collisions by defenders.
  • DEV NOTE: In these situations, the receiver would seem to have brought the ball in and secured it but the late collision from a defender would have the ball awkwardly dribble out of the receiver’s hand(s). We have now made the window for knocking the ball out from a normal collision smaller so defenders will no longer be able to knock the ball out so late.
• Fixed an issue with defenders in man coverage not reacting appropriately to a receiver on a Bubble route in RPO plays.
• Tuning to increase AI pass-rush on All-Pro and All-Madden skill levels. When AI pass rushers win their matchup, they will beat their block sooner.
• Addressed an issue with left-handed QB always running option run plays to the left regardless of the designed run direction.
  • DEV NOTE: We are aware that left-handed QB’s are also running the wrong direction on QB Power plays, and that fix will be in a future title update, as we were unable to squeeze it into this one.
• Fixed an issue sometimes causing the ball to be incorrectly spotted on the 35-yard line when a kick returner would catch the ball right on the line at the back of the endzone.
• Added logic for user-controlled ball carriers to be able to trigger fake-outs using basic ball carrier skill moves on Arcade, as opposed to only combo moves.

Madden Ultimate Team Updates:

• Fixed an issue on the compare screen that showed the default X-factor on a player item
• Adjusted how Solo Battle CPU teams are evaluated.

Franchise Updates:

• Face of the Franchise Updates:
  • Fixed an issue with users playing as a HB receiving temporary ratings boosts for QB related ratings
  • Fixed an issue with some abilities appearing twice in the edit player screen
• Franchise Updates:
  • Fixed an issue with older, high OVR Free Agents being removed from the game before users have a chance to sign them
  • Fixed an issue where players received Morale and Legacy changes during pre-season games

The Yard Updates:

• Stability and reliability improvements

Presentation Updates:

• Fixed an issue with Oilers uniforms
• Raiders updated to Grass field
• Washington End Zones updated
• Atlanta End Zones updated
• Updated Captains patch stars and C’s not updating correctly

Madden NFL 21 is available via the PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and soon it will be playable on PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S as well.